Food & DrinkSunday, March 6th

Eat me: our favourite places for afternoon tea

It's been a tradition for more than 200 years and this sweet treat between lunch and dinner is having something of a modern resurgence right now.

Maybe it's the Downton Abbey-effect or Mary Berry banging on about soggy bottoms. Or maybe there's simply nothing finer than dainty cakes and finger sandwiches served with a fragrant cuppa.

Here are a few of our favourite places in and around Herefordshire for afternoon tea.

Castle House Hotel, Hereford

Oh, afternoon tea at Castle House. Available from 3pm to 5pm, the 'works' is £15 per person, or there's a smaller Hereford Tea for £6 per person. You can add a bottle or glass of Champagne or Prosecco and, if the sun is shining, take it on the hotel’s terraced garden, beside the old moat.

From April 17 to 24, Castle House is also offering a Royal Birthday Tea and Champagne to help celebrate her majesty's 90th. Fit for a queen and £25 per person, Liz would like it.

Angel at Abergavenny

Just over the border, the Angel's specialist baker, Sally Lane, and her team freshly prepare the sandwiches, cakes, savoury pastries and scones that go into these award winning afternoon and high teas. There are also 30 teas hand-picked from around the world to accompany your food. Served daily in the Wedgwood Room, reservations are recommended.

Fishmore Hall, Ludlow

Enjoy this modern afternoon tea in the restaurant or lounge if it's chilly outside, or on the terrace in the summer. Served from 3pm to 5pm daily, you can chose from the cream tea, half tea and full feast and have a peek at the sample menu here.